Riverland Community College has been awarded the 2012 Minnesota Outstanding Postsecondary/Adult Agricultural Education Program by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE). NAAE recognizes the nation’s most successful agricultural education programs by highlighting the local programs and teachers that achieve success. Winners are educators who have developed an outstanding agricultural education program at either the postsecondary or adult education level. Applicants are judged on a variety of criteria, including teaching philosophy, effective classroom and experiential instruction, development of partnerships, and professional growth.

Riverland Community College has hired Matt Bissonette as the new director of training and development. He replaces Doug Parr, who retired earlier this year. A Stewartville native, Bissonette’s experience includes Walt Disney, Jostens, the nonprofit sector, as well as his own consulting practice working with executives and organizations. Bissonette’s education background started with a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Iowa. Later he received his master’s degree in Transformational Leadership from Bethel Seminary and a Post-Secondary Teaching Certificate from Bethel University.

Riverland Community College has selected Mary Davenport as the Interim Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. Davenport replaces Ron Langrell who left the college in July. Davenport comes to Riverland from Saint Paul College, where she has been serving as the Interim Dean of Health and Service programs. Prior to that she served in the system office of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) as executive director for state and federal government relations.